Infrastructure & Facilities: Colombia, Florida, Grays Harbor, North Carolina

International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI) and PSA International Pte. Ltd. (PSA) will jointly develop, construct and operate a container port terminal and ancillary facilities located on the Aguadulce Peninsula near Buenaventura, Colombia. Gov. Rick Scott and the Florida Cabinet on September 24 approved the use of $150 million in bond proceeds to finance projects at Florida ports through the Seaport Investment Program. Pasha Automotive Services and the Port of Grays Harbor have completed new infrastructure aimed at promoting the continued growth of automotive processing and roll-on/roll-off business. Pursuant to an agreement with the North Carolina State Ports Authority, WoodFuels would finance and build a $25 million export facility at the Port of Morehead City, which would receive, store and load wood pellets for export to Europe as a renewable energy source.

Colombia: ICTSI and PSA Sign Agreement to Jointly Develop Aguadulce Port

International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI) and PSA International Pte. Ltd. (PSA), through their respective wholly-owned subsidiaries, on September 18 signed an agreement that will enable them to jointly develop, construct and operate the container port terminal and ancillary facilities located on the Aguadulce Peninsula near Buenaventura, Colombia.

The agreement involves PSA’s investment in Sociedad Puerto Industrial Aguadulce S.A. (SPIA), an indirect subsidiary of ICTSI, which holds the 30-year concession for the Aguadulce Port Project granted by the Agencia Nacional de Infraestructura of Colombia.

SPIA is a Colombian company with the right to develop the roughly 560 acres it owns on Aguadulce Peninsula across the channel from the terminal complex operated by Sociedad Portuaria Regional de Buenaventura, SA. ICTSI purchased SPIA in 2007.  

ICTSI’s wholly-owned subsidiaries Kinston Enterprises Corporation and Future Water S.A. agreed to the purchase by PSA Colombia Pacific Pte. Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of PSA, of 45.64 percent of SPIA’s issued and outstanding share capital, subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions.

Upon completion of the agreement, ICTSI and PSA will jointly own 91.28 percent of issued and outstanding share capital of SPIA. ICTSI and PSA will thereafter work jointly towards the success of the Aguadulce Port Project.

Headquartered in Manila, ICTSI is a port management company involved in the operation and development of marine terminals and port projects worldwide. Its Latin American terminal ventures are located in Guayaquil (Ecuador), Buenos Aires (Argentina), Manzanillo (Mexico), Puerto Cortés (Honduras) and Suape (Brazil). 

PSA’s global port management operations include the Exolgan container terminal near Buenos Aires and a newly-opened container terminal on Panama’s Pacific coast.

Florida: $150 Million for Seaport Improvements

Gov. Rick Scott and the Florida Cabinet on September 24 approved the use of $150 million in bond proceeds to finance projects at Florida ports through the Seaport Investment Program. The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has programmed $150 million in projects to receive bond proceeds for FY 2014, which will be issued by the state’s Division of Bond Finance.

Gov. Scott said: "This $150 million investment in Florida ports will strengthen Florida’s role as a hub for global commerce. Florida’s ports support international trade and domestic manufacturing and create jobs for Florida families. With this investment, we will continue to position Florida as a leader in global trade and commerce."

Working directly with Florida seaports, FDOT has identified a total of 16 projects to be funded under bond proceeds. During its 2012 session, the legislature passed and the governor signed SB 1998, directing another $10 million annually from the State Transportation Trust Fund (beginning July 1, 2013 and for 30 years thereafter) to secure bonds issued to finance projects at Florida ports through the Seaport Investment Program.  

The projects approved by Gov. Scott and the 2013 Legislature through the budget approval process include:

Port Everglades
Southport Turning Notch Extension 
Bond Funding: $34.5 million 
This project will lengthen the existing Southport Turning Notch from 900 feet to 2,400 feet at the existing depth of 42 feet, providing a minimum of five additional berths. 

PortMiami
South Fisherman’s Channel Dredge III 
Bond Funding: $25 million 
This project includes the final phase of the Deep Dredge project. It project will include work necessary to dredge the cargo channels and berths; including deepening the entrance channel to a depth of 52 feet and deepening and widening the South Ship (Fisherman’s) Channel, the Turning Basins and the berths to 50 feet 

Port Manatee
Berth Rehab & Reconstruction Project 
Bond Funding: $6.4 million 
This project will rehabilitate portions of Berths 6-11, doubling their load capacity and increasing their capability to accommodate potential future draft of as many as 45 feet.

Jacksonville
Blount Island Terminal Improvements 
Bond Funding: $14.8 million 
Includes the phased development/redevelopment of container, break-bulk, automobile and bulk terminal facilities, as well as wharf rehabilitation and paving, tenant building improvements, rail improvements, and drainage upgrades and repairs 

Panama City
Container Terminal Expansion 
Bond Funding: $2.2 million 
The project includes removing a molasses tank from container yard area, adding heavy pavement, expanding the port’s interchange gate to accommodate higher volumes, adding additional support plugs for refrigerated containers, adding a second mobile harbor crane capable of handling Panamax vessels, and adding additional container handling equipment in the container yard. 

Tampa
Bond funding: $22.68 million for three projects.
Port Redwing ($7.5 million): Berthing, cargo storage, road and rail connectivity, dredging, navigational improvements, cargo handling equipment, utilities and security. 
Hooker’s Point ($9.2 million): Project will assist a multi-phased development in the heart of the port’s main peninsula, with investments in auto terminals, refrigerated warehousing and transloading, road construction, an ICTF, container terminal expansion and gate relocation. 
Eastport ($6 million): Funds will go toward a berth, storage yard and road relocation, which comprise the second phase of a brand new multi-berth waterside and landside development. 

Grays Harbor: Port and Pasha Automotive Services Complete Infrastructure Project 

Pasha Automotive Services and the Port of Grays Harbor have completed new infrastructure aimed at promoting the continued growth of automotive processing and roll-on/roll-off business. Construction that started in December 2012 represents almost two years in planning and engineering. The momentum of new business supports major capital investment by the port, Pasha and transportation partners in paving, rail and processing facilities. The port’s new $15 million rail facility has been enhanced by the Puget Sound & Pacific Railroad’s $3.5 million investment in a passing track. 

Combined investments and renovations of terminal processing capabilities of $4.5 million now offer Pasha’s customers more than 60 paved acres, new security systems, a custom carwash system, drive over undercoating application pits, homologation and accessory bays and a new body/mechanical center. A 10-acre paving/lighting project is underway. Terminal capacity can be expanded to approximately 150 acres. 

New business includes an import client on short-sea service from Mexico. Rental car reconditioning for rental cars destined for auction is also booming, with several thousand units passing through the port annually. 

"Development at Grays is driving at a fierce pace," said John Pasha, Senior Vice President, Pasha Automotive Services. "We now have a perfect entrée for Mexico short sea and landbridge imports, as well as a unique platform to expedite ro-ro exports and imports through the Pacific Northwest.

As the business has grown, so have its labor requirements. Specifically, as noted by Mr. Pasha: "We have added two I-CAR certified paint technicians and 12 experienced accessory installers to the local labor force roster. More than 140 employees provide a variety of skills from rail unloading to full body shop and accessory programs." A partnership with Grays Harbor College and its automotive technical training center has led to "on terminal training" for local apprentices. 

North Carolina State Ports Board Approves Wood Pellet Agreement for Port of Morehead City 

The board of directors of the North Carolina State Ports Authority on September 26 approved a deal that would strengthen its ties to the wood pellet industry. 

The agreement with WoodFuels, LLC could allow for construction of a wood pellet export facility at the Port of Morehead City. Pursuant to its terms, WoodFuels would finance and build the $25 million export facility, which would receive, store and load wood pellets for export to Europe as a renewable energy source. 

Under the 20-year agreement, the facility would receive its first pellets for shipment in late 2014. After the initial operational year, revenue will range between $1.2 million and $2 million annually. On average, this deal could result in $840,000 annually in port operating revenue that would be used to reinvest into the Port of Morehead City. The business would support at least 150 direct and indirect jobs at the port and other North Carolina locations.

Earlier this year, the ports authority completed a deal with Enviva Holdings, LP, to construct and operate a similar facility at the Port of Wilmington. That facility is scheduled to open in early 2015.

The Morehead City agreement will be presented to the North Carolina Council of State for final approval at its October meeting.